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In today’s top news, 13 have been charged in the hazing death of FAMU band member Robert Champion, Trayvon Martin’s social media posts may be used at George Zimmerman’s murder trial and Rapper 2 Chainz will educate voters about felon’s voting rights for “Respect My Vote!” campaign.

Thirteen charged in the hazing death of FAMU band member Robert Champion. [BET]

Trayvon Martin’s social media posts may be used at George Zimmerman’s murder trial. [Miami Herald]

In today’s top news, Republican Rep. Allen West tells Obama and his Democratic counterparts to “get the hell out of the U.S.;” cleared of a death sentence, Mumia Abu Jamal begins his life prison term and one bullying victim receives $100k in damages.

Rep. Allen West tells Obama and Democrats to “get the hell out of the U.S.” [BET]

In today’s top news, Red Tails took a lion’s share of the weekend box office, many mourn the passing of college football coach Joe Paterno and Obama is gearing up to address the 99 percent in Tuesday’s State of the Union speech.

In today’s top news, Magic Johnson attempts to make moves in yet another field, Bishop Eddie Long says he needs to take time away from his megachurch and a deadly ‘game’ played by some children takes another life.

Powell Warns His Party âŠ Again
Call him a âliberalâ all you want, but former Secretary of State Colin Powell says that unless the Republican Party embraces his vision for a more inclusive party â and not that of his ultra-conservative counterparts, Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney â the GOP is in trouble. Powell, along with former Pennsylvania governor and Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, made their rounds on the Sunday TV talk shows hoping to throw a lifeline to their floundering party. “I believe we should build on the base because the nation needs two parties, two parties debating each other,” said Powell, who became the first African-American to head the State Department, during the administration of George W. Bush. “But what we have to do is debate and define who we are and what we are and not just listen to dictates that come down from the right wing of the party. âŠIf we don’t reach out more, the party is going to be sitting on a very, very narrow base. You can only do two things with a base. You can sit on it and watch the world go by, or you can build on the base,” Powell said. Ridge, who was also appointed by Bush, agreed. He said if the Republican Party wants “to restore itself, not as a regional party, but as a national party, we have to be far less judgmental about disagreements within the party and far more judgmental about our disagreement with our friends on the other side of the aisle.” That so many Republicans are openly criticizing the direction of their party has signaled serious trouble at the homestead. Recent polls have shown that the party is not as popular as it used to be. Moreover, surveys are reflecting another unthinkable: that many Republicans are actually digging President Obama. Even when they donât totally agree with a specific idea, they see him as intelligent, thoughtful, honest and quite presidential. This is not good news for hard-line conservatives like Limbaugh and Co. This isnât the first time Powell has put Limbaugh on blast; several days ago, he described his partymate to a group of business leaders as a mere entertainer, a personality â not somebody who should be leading the GOP. “I may be out of their version of the Republican Party, but there’s another version of the Republican Party waiting to emerge once again,” he said. Limbaugh fired back, citing Powellâs endorsement of Barack Obama over John McCain in the last general election as proof that Powell puts race above loyalty to the party. Powell is a Democrat in disguise, he said. Cheney was quick to jump into the debate, saying heâd rather follow the radio shock jock than Powell. On Sunday, Republican hitman Karl Rove co-signed on Cheney and Limbaughâs anti-Powell vibe. “I don’t like this thing where people â and Powell is one them â who said, âRush Limbaugh, shut up.â We believe, as Republicans in the marketplace of ideas. Let that marketplace decide,” Rove said. “I want Colin Powell to go out there and lay out his vision, and then I want him to back it up by finding people who share it and working like heck to get them â and that’s how you win the party.” But offering further proof that thereâs a shakeup going on in the Republican Party, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, known for commanding a successful conservative assault against the Clinton administration, is vociferously siding with the moderates. “I think Republicans are going to be very foolish if they run around deciding they’re going to see how much they can purge us down to the smallest possible base.” He says he wasnât aiming to pick a fight with Cheney, only stating what his fellow Republicans need to hear.

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Atlanta Mayorâs Disser is SuspendedThereâs a price to pay for dissing the mayor, or any other person in Atlanta, according to Police Chief Richard Pennington, who on Saturday suspended the head of the police union. Last week, during a public discussion about seriously injured officers getting short shrift from the city workersâ compensation program, Sgt. Scott Kreher said he wanted to hit Mayor Shirley Franklin âin the head with a bat.â âThe Atlanta Police Department does not condone nor will we tolerate supervisors making irresponsible and inflammatory remarks against the Mayor or any citizen of the City of Atlanta,â Pennington said in a statement released late Saturday night. Kreher is president of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers â Local 623. city council members that he wanted to hit the mayor âin the head with a baseball bat.â In a statement, the mayor called Kreherâs comment âreprehensible,â and said she felt threatened.

An unlikely trio descended upon President Obama at the White House Thursday, agreeing that the education problems facing this country are far greater than the traditional differences that divide Democrats and Republicans, African Americans and Whites. Read more.

Tell Me More

"Nothing is assumed." That's the unofficial motto of âTell Me More,â the new Monday-Friday talk show with host
Michel Martin. Grounded in lively interviewing and compelling storytelling, the program seeks to present
diverse new voices, cross borders, challenge conventional wisdom and discover how other people think.